The effect of mindfulness-based stress reduction on chemotherapy-related physical and psychological distress in colorectal cancer patients: a retrospective cohort study.
Future oncology June 1, 2026 Minqing Huang, Guiling Huang, Fang Wang et al.
An 8-week mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) program, including mindful breathing, body scan, and meditation, significantly reduced chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting, depression, and anxiety in patients with colorectal cancer. In a retrospective cohort of 301 patients, those who completed MBSR had higher FLIE nausea and vomiting scores and lower PHQ-9 and GAD-7 scores over four chemotherapy cycles compared to those receiving routine care only. The MBSR group showed declining symptom scores from baseline through treatment, indicating that MBSR effectively alleviates both physical and psychological distress and improves quality of life.